Latest Overwatch PTR Patch Adds Server Browser, New Game Mode and More

Blizzard Entertainment has rolled out a new Overwatch PTR patch that brings a lot of changes to the heroes, along with a new feature, “Server Browser”.

According to Overwatch PTR patch notes, the “server browser” is an extension of OVerwatch’s custom game mode. “The Server Browser allows you to adjust the settings on various maps, modes, and heroes, creating your own tailor-made server”.

Players can also limit the number of players who can join the game by “toggling the “Friends Only” or “Invite Only” options, but if you want to put your strange creation to the real test, set your server to “Public” and click the launch button”.

Furthermore, this latest Overwatch PTR patch also brings a new game mode “Capture the Flag”. The update brings “Capture-the-Flag versions of Nepal, Lijiang Tower, Ilios, and Oasis, which gives you 12 maps to try when creating a Custom Game”.

Overwatch PTR patch also makes a lot of changes to the Heroes.

Ana

New Hero Option: Nano Boost Sensitivity

Allows players to adjust Nano Boost’s targeting sensitivity

Bastion

Configuration: Sentry

Deploy time decreased from 1.5 seconds to 1.0 second

Bullet spread increased by 50 percent

Bullet spread is always at maximum (it no longer increases as the weapon is fired)

Magazine size increased from 200 to 300

Headshot damage multiplier has been removed

No longer deals critical damage

Configuration: Recon

Bullet spread decreased by 25 percent

Magazine size increased from 20 to 25

Self-Repair

Can now be used while moving

Now bound to secondary fire (formerly Ability 2)

No longer interrupted by taking damage

A new resource meter has been added that deplete while Self-Repair is active and recharges when not in use

Configuration: Tank

No longer grants bonus armor

Bastion has a new passive: Ironclad

Bastion takes 35% less damage while in Sentry or Tank configuration

Developer Comments: The goal of these changes is to move some of Bastion’s power from Configuration: Sentry to Recon, while keeping its sentry mode a strong option, especially versus tanks and barriers. Overall, Bastion should feel stronger and more flexible with these changes.

D.Va

Defense Matrix

Projectiles (like Roadhog’s Chain Hook or Tracer’s Pulse Bomb) no longer need to travel a minimum distance before they can be blocked

Developer Comments: Previously, there was a minimum distance a projectile had to travel before it could be destroyed by Defense Matrix. This made it nearly worthless in situations where an enemy was right next to your teammate, such as when Roadhog hooks your ally. This change removes that restriction so Defense Matrix should now reliably destroy projectiles regardless of how far they have traveled.

Mei

Cryo-Freeze

Mei can now be targeted by allies while in Cryo-Freeze

Mercy

Resurrect

While performing a resurrection, Mercy now becomes temporarily invulnerable along with the allies being revived

Developer Comments: Mercy’s Resurrect has always been very powerful, but it often forces her to sacrifice herself to use it well. There have been changes in the past that attempted to help her in this area, but haven’t done enough to solve it. This change means that once she uses the ability, she will always survive long enough to be with her team again.

A second gate no longer closes after the payload passes through the castle doors. Instead, rubble from the damaged doorway partially blocks the entrance.

Developer Comments: Once the offensive team gets through the castle entrance, the map becomes very heavily stacked in the defense’s favor. This change will give the offense more entrance options, which should improve the map’s overall balance.

The latest Overwatch PTR patch also brings some bug fixes for heroes, competitive play, and some general ones.

BUG FIXES

General

Fixed an issue preventing key bindings on the communication wheel from displaying properly

Fixed a bug causing some key bindings to revert to default after the first round of a Control map

Fixed a bug that allowed commendation cards to be recalculated and transferred to a new player after the previous recipient left at the end of a round

Fixed a bug that caused the “experience gained” audio effects to continue playing, even after the players left the game lobby